John Templeton Foundation
The John Templeton Foundation is a private foundation based in West Conshohocken, Pennsylvania. It supports interdisciplinary research and public engagement on questions ranging from the physical universe and life sciences to character, religion, and human purpose.
John Templeton Foundation at a glance
In short: John Templeton Foundation gave $134.4M across 426 grants in 2024 (avg $315K), top state California. 21% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $134,360,998
- +6.0% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 426
- +6.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $315,401
- -0.0% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $216,722
- Total assets
- $3,599,488,250
- +5.9% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 21% first-time grantees (60 of 286, 2024)
- Primary geography
- California (11% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to John Templeton Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- Yes
- How to Apply
-
The Foundation accepts unsolicited requests through its Online Funding Inquiry process. It accepts new inquiries throughout the year, but reviews them at specific times depending on request size; invited applicants may submit a Full Proposal.
- Review Cycle
- Review timing depends on request size; consult the Foundation’s grant calendar for applicable submission deadlines.
- Deadline
- Review timing depends on request size; consult the Foundation’s grant calendar for applicable submission deadlines.
- Contact
Application contact: John Templeton Foundation
Mailing address: 300 Conshohocken State Rd Ste 500, West Conshohocken, PA 19428
Phone: (610) 941-2828
Website: https://templeton.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from John Templeton Foundation
Who John Templeton Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Centre Pour La Recherche Sur L'espace ($4.4M across 2 grants). Together the top 10 received $27.0M.
Organizations only. It also paid 1 grant to individuals ($1,514,578), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
2,305 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $100–250K range: 634 grants of 2,305 (28%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The 2024 grant list includes recipients in multiple U.S. states and in other countries. The Foundation reported that 11% of grant dollars went to California, 10% to New York, 9% to Massachusetts, and 8% to the District of Columbia. The filing also reports 21% for an unidentified recipient-state category.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 426 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is John Templeton Foundation open to new grantees?
21%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 60 of 286 grantees (21%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $326K; repeat grants $501K. How we count
Medians: $223K first-time, $284K repeat.
- 61% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (−12%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 87% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $109.3M (2020) to $176.8M (2022). In 2024 it made 426 grants totaling $134.4M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Centre Pour La Recherche Sur L'espace | Enrico fermi fellowships: cross-training in theoretical & experimental science | $3,399,545 |
| Atlas Economic Research Foundation Arlington, VA | Ease of Employment, Livelihood, and Formality | $2,176,681 |
| Baylor University Waco, TX | Global Flourishing Study: Piloting and Waves 1-5 | $2,001,684 |
| Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago Chicago, IL | The Cognitive Neuroscience of Religious Cognition | $1,894,638 |
| University of California Riverside Riverside, CA | Developing belief: the development and diversity of religious cognition and behavior: phase 1 | $1,776,010 |
| St Johns College Durham | Equipping christian leadership in an age of science: phase 4 | $1,648,297 |
| Interfaith America Chicago, IL | Faith in health professions: integrating interfaith competencies across programs | $1,619,530 |
| University of Bristol | Religious belief, health, and disease: a family perspective. Ii. The follow-up and analyses | $1,530,026 |
| 1 grant to individuals Recipients not named | — | $1,514,578 |
| The University of Texas at San Antonio San Antonio, TX | Mouse & human cell culture models of transgenerational epigenetic inheritance of epimutations | $1,500,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $3,599,488,250 | $258,662,276 | $169,819,545 | $134,360,998 | 426 | $154,923,589 | $276,644,897 | $177,068,815 |
| 2023 | $3,398,215,797 | $175,754,080 | $162,459,116 | $126,807,051 | 402 | $150,479,870 | $166,108,209 | $159,248,951 |
| 2022 | $2,941,369,919 | $-48,932,597 | $212,426,672 | $176,763,091 | 510 | $182,651,554 | — | $159,297,373 |
| 2021 | $3,891,819,736 | $674,493,008 | $195,580,473 | $153,380,629 | 516 | $173,364,904 | $637,926,227 | $186,228,405 |
| 2020 | $3,783,211,705 | $229,940,602 | $159,089,926 | $109,346,891 | 451 | — | $194,383,641 | $163,694,959 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, John Templeton Foundation reported a distributable amount of $177.1M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Foundation’s mission is to support interdisciplinary research and catalyze conversations that inspire awe and wonder. It aims to foster curiosity about the universe, lives of meaning and purpose, and great and selfless love.
Its funding areas are Character Virtue Development; Individual Freedom & Free Markets; Life Sciences; Mathematical & Physical Sciences; Public Engagement; and Religion, Science, & Society. The Foundation also identifies an Intelligence Venture, with grants focused on intelligence questions expected to begin in 2026. Its website says that venture will award over $60 million across the six funding areas.
The Foundation generally funds charitable entities operating inside or outside the United States. Examples of grantees’ work include Atlas Economic Research Foundation’s efforts to strengthen a network promoting individual freedom, Baylor University’s education integrating academic excellence and Christian commitment, and Interfaith America’s work to advance pluralistic values. These are the grantees’ stated missions, not the Foundation’s.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, the Foundation reported 426 grants totaling $134,360,998. Grant amounts ranged from $250 to $3,399,545, with a median of $216,722. Examples of larger awards include $3,399,545 to Centre pour la Recherche sur l'Espace for Enrico Fermi Fellowships; $2,176,681 to Atlas Economic Research Foundation for “Ease of Employment, Livelihood, and Formality”; $2,001,684 to Baylor University for the Global Flourishing Study; and $1,894,638 to Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago for research on the cognitive neuroscience of religious cognition.
The Foundation’s website says applicants begin with a required Online Funding Inquiry; only invited applicants submit a detailed Full Proposal. Applications are submitted online. The inquiry requests project information, and the Foundation’s filing says application materials include a description of proposed charitable activities and their importance and relationship to the funding areas, organizational and personnel information, requested amount, detailed budget, timeline, and expected results. The Foundation generally funds discrete projects, not donations, operational support, or program support. Awards must advance the charitable, scientific, educational, literary, or religious purposes of its funding areas. The filing states that giving is not restricted to preselected organizations.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Officers and directors listed on the 2024 filing include President Heather Templeton Dill; Director of Investments Brian Crawford; Executive Vice President, Assistant Secretary, and General Counsel Dawn M. Bryant; Treasurer and Assistant Secretary Ann Cameron; and Secretary and Assistant Treasurer Harvey M. Templeton III. Trustees listed include Jeffrey Everett, Jennifer Simpson, Jewel Sideman, and John H. Templeton.
John Templeton Foundation is led by Heather Templeton Dill, President on every filing since 2020; 17 of 18 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Heather Templeton Dill
President
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$375K (2020) → $440K (2024)
Lauren Templeton
Trustee & Chairperson
Trustee → Trustee & Chairman, 2021
Trustee & Chairman → Trustee & Chairperson, 2024
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
$13K (2020) → $30K (2024)
Leigh Cameron
Trustee & Chairperson
Trustee → Trustee & Chairperson, 2024
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
$9K (2021) → $33K (2024)
Jennifer Templeton Simpson
Trustee
Trustee & Chairman → Trustee, 2023
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
$21K (2020) → $0 (2024)
Kim Tan
Trustee
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
$4K (2020) → $22K (2024)
Lorentz Gregory Jones
Trustee
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
$16K (2020) → $23K (2024)
Philip Clayton
Trustee
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
$16K (2020) → $12K (2024)
Brian Crawford
Director Investments
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$495K (2021) → $599K (2024)
Jeffrey Everett
Trustee
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
$10K (2021) → $28K (2024)
John H. Templeton
Trustee
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
$7K (2022) → $32K (2024)
Magatte Wade
Trustee
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
$4K (2022) → $17K (2024)
Jewel Sideman
Trustee
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
$10K (2023) → $21K (2024)
Paul Davies
Trustee
New on the 2024 filing
2 hrs/week
$8K (2024)
William David Lloyd
Trustee
New on the 2024 filing
2 hrs/week
$11K (2024)
Ann Cameron
Treasurer & Assistant Secretary
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
$3K (2020) → $2K (2024)
Dawn M. Bryant
Executive Vice President, Assistant Secretary & General Counsel
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$522K (2020) → $609K (2024)
Harvey M. Templeton III
Secretary & Assistant Treasurer
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
$3K (2020) → $3K (2024)
Linda Kiraly Gilbert
Assistant Treasurer
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$182K (2024)
Former officers (11)
- Former: Mary Ann Meyers (2020–2023) — Employee & Trustee
- Former: Ramin Khadem (2020–2023) — Trustee
- Former: Handly Templeton (2020–2022) — President, Unity I & Llc
- Former: Karen Miller (2020–2022) — Executive Vice President, Assistant Treasurer & Cfoo
- Former: Kris Mauren (2020–2022) — Trustee
- Former: Rebecca M. Templeton (2020–2022) — Trustee, Secretary & Treasurer Unity I Llc
- Former: Thomas McLeish (2020–2022) — Trustee
- Former: David G. Myers (2020–2021) — Trustee
- Former: Gail Zimmerman (2020–2021) — Trustee
- Former: Avery Templeton Lloyd (2020) — Trustee
- Former: Heinrich Liechtenstein (2020) — Trustee
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $609K, to Dawn M Bryant (Exec VP/Asst Secy/Gen Counsel). 17 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about John Templeton Foundation
How much does John Templeton Foundation give each year?
John Templeton Foundation gave $134.4M across 426 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $126.8M across 402 grants.
What is John Templeton Foundation's typical grant size?
John Templeton Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $216,722, and its average grant was $315,401, across 426 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from John Templeton Foundation that year got $326K on average.
Where does John Templeton Foundation give grants?
John Templeton Foundation's top state is California, with 11% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were New York (10%) and Massachusetts (9%). The most frequent recipient cities were Washington, DC (40 grants), New York, NY (26 grants), Philadelphia, PA (15 grants) and Cambridge, MA (13 grants).
Does John Templeton Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 12% of John Templeton Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (53 of 426) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Recurring purposes include "Staff Recognition Award Donation" (7 grants).
Who are John Templeton Foundation's largest grantees?
John Templeton Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Centre Pour La Recherche Sur L'espace ($4,396,274 across 2 grants), President and Fellows of Harvard College ($3,707,096 across 9 grants) and Regents of the University of California at Berkeley ($2,933,722 across 7 grants), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 1 grant to individuals ($1,514,578), which are not listed by name. Together they received 8% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is John Templeton Foundation?
John Templeton Foundation reported $3.6B in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $154.9M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $177.1M (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.
What does John Templeton Foundation fund?
The Foundation’s mission is to support interdisciplinary research and catalyze conversations that inspire awe and wonder. It aims to foster curiosity about the universe, lives of meaning and purpose, and great and selfless love. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from John Templeton Foundation?
The Foundation accepts unsolicited requests through its Online Funding Inquiry process. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is John Templeton Foundation's EIN?
John Templeton Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 62-1322826. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does John Templeton Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
Yes, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). John Templeton Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 10, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/john-templeton-foundation-morg_ebac8535f8274b4f829b5ee31a759dce
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_621322826_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{John Templeton Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/john-templeton-foundation-morg_ebac8535f8274b4f829b5ee31a759dce},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-10. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from John Templeton Foundation's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
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